Presidential Proclamation of June 4, 2025, Restricting the Entry of Certain Foreign Nationals
On June 4, 2025 President Trump issued a proclamation suspending the entry of certain foreign nationals (aliens) from 19 countries, effective June 9. Citing an intent to protect U.S. citizens "from aliens who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten our national security, espouse hateful ideology, or otherwise exploit the immigration laws for malevolent purposes," the proclamation includes two lists of countries whose nationals are covered: (1) "full suspension" of entry for nationals of 12 countries and (2) "partial suspension" of entry for nationals of 7 countries (see Figure 1).
This proclamation follows Executive Order 14161 of January 20, 2025, "Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,", which directed the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence to submit a report identifying countries "for which vetting and screening information is so deficient as to warrant a full or partial suspension on the admission of nationals from those countries."
The June 4 proclamation cited, among other things, two immigration-related legal authorities. Under Section 212(f) (8 U.S.C. §1182(f)) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the President has the authority "to suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens" whenever the President "finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States." Under INA Section 215(a) (8 U.S.C. §1185(a)) the President may prescribe limitations and exceptions on who may enter or depart the United States. The proclamation also cited 3 U.S.C. §301, which authorizes the President to delegate functions to executive branch agencies.
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Source: President Donald J. Trump, Proclamation, "Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats," June 4, 2025. |
Who is included in the suspensions?
Nationals of listed countries who are outside the United States on the effective date (June 9, 2025) and do not have a valid visa are subject to the suspension. Section 2 of the proclamation suspends the entry of nationals of 12 countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. For these countries, the entry of immigrants and nonimmigrants is suspended (with exceptions described below). Entries from these countries are considered "fully suspended."
Section 3 of the proclamation suspends the entry of nationals of 7 countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. For these countries, the entry of immigrants is suspended, as is the entry of nonimmigrants on B visas (visitors for business or tourism), F visas (academic students), M visas (vocational students), and J visas (exchange visitors), with exceptions described below. Entries from these countries are considered "partially suspended." For each of these countries, the proclamation directs consular officers to reduce the validity of all other nonimmigrant visas issued to the extent permitted by law. Visa validity refers to the period during which the visa holder can use the visa to travel to the United States and apply for admission; this is different from the authorized period of stay that the traveler may be granted upon admission.
Who is not included in the suspensions?
Section 4 of the proclamation provides exceptions to the suspensions specified in Sections 2 and 3. These include the following:
- lawful permanent residents (LPRs or green card holders) of the United States;
- dual nationals of designated countries traveling on a passport of a non-designated country;
- foreign nationals traveling on diplomatic visas;
- athletes, coaches, support staff, and immediate relatives traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event;
- immediate relatives of U.S. citizens with "clear and convincing evidence of identity and family relationship (e.g., DNA)";
- adoptions;
- Afghan Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs);
- SIVs for U.S. government employees; and
- immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran.
In addition, Section 4 provides that the Attorney General and Secretary of State may make additional exceptions for individuals whose travel would serve the national interest.
What are the bases for countries to be included?
President Trump cites deficiencies in screening and vetting information as the overarching reason for countries to be included in the suspensions. In addition, he states that many of the designated countries "have also taken advantage of the United States in their exploitation of our visa system and their historic failure to accept back their removable nationals." He cites certain countries' high overstay rates, which he says "increases burdens on immigration and law enforcement components" and "often exacerbates other risks related to national security and public safety."
For each country, the proclamation outlines specific reasons for inclusion. Overstay rates from DHS's FY2023 Exit/Entry Overstay report are provided for 15 of the 19 countries. A lack of cooperation on accepting repatriations of their nationals is mentioned for 8 countries, and a lack of a competent or cooperative central government authority for issuing passports or sharing information is mentioned for 8 countries. For 5 countries, a nexus to terrorism is cited.
How long will the suspensions last?
The proclamation directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Attorney General, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Director for National Intelligence, to report to the President in 90 days, and every 180 days thereafter, whether the suspensions should be continued, terminated, modified, or supplemented.
What other measures are in the proclamation?
The proclamation directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Attorney General, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Director for National Intelligence, to "immediately engage" all countries covered by the suspensions on measures they can take to comply with U.S. immigration and security requirements. It also directs the same officials to provide an updated review for Egypt, citing "recent events," likely referring to the May 2025 attack in Boulder, CO, by an Egyptian national.